Cold sores that develop on your face can sometimes be unsightly and make you feel embarrassed or self-conscious, especially if you’re preparing for an upcoming interview, date, or major event. While most cold sores will go away on their own within a few weeks, you can use makeup and beauty products to help conceal and cover up cold sores until they’ve healed completely.

Steps

Method1

Covering Facial Cold Sores

1

Wait until the cold sore has partially healed or scabbed over before applying makeup. Open cold sores will continue to ooze pus and fluid as part of the healing phase, and can worsen or take longer to heal when covered with makeup before scabbing occurs.[1]

2

Purchase thick, creamy, yellow-based concealer, as well as skin-colored concealer that matches the color of your skin tone. Creamy, non-liquid concealers are often sold in small, concentrated amounts and can be purchased from the makeup section at your local drugstore. Yellow-based concealer can help neutralize redness, whereas skin-colored concealer can help hide the appearance of the cold sore.

3

Use a disposable makeup sponge to apply the yellow-based concealer directly to the cold sore. Begin with applying a small amount, then add more as needed to complete cover the cold sore.

4

Use a small, disposable powder brush or cotton ball to lightly dust finishing powder on top of the yellow-based concealer. Finishing powder will help set the yellow-based concealer, as well as neutralize the color of the concealer.

5

Use another clean, disposable makeup sponge to apply the skin-colored concealer directly to the cold sore. Use a gentle stippling motion to apply the concealer so it blends in effectively with your skin.

6

Use the powder brush to apply another light dusting of finishing powder to the skin-colored concealer. This will help set the last layer of concealer.

7

Dispose of the makeup sponges and powder brushes immediately. This will help prevent the spreading of your cold sore virus.

Method2

Covering Lip Cold Sores

1

Wait until the cold sore has partially healed or scabbed over before applying makeup. Open cold sores will continue to ooze pus and fluid as part of the healing phase, and can worsen or take longer to heal when covered with makeup before scabbing occurs.

2

Choose a lipstick color that matches your natural lip color. Using bright or dark unnatural shades of lipstick can accentuate the appearance of your cold sore.

If your cold sore is especially red or dark in color, experiment with using a lipstick shade that best matches the color of the cold sore.[2]

3

Gently swipe the lipstick across the back of your hand. This will allow you to apply the lipstick using a cotton swab, which can help prevent the cold sore virus and bacteria from contaminating the entire tube of lipstick.

4

Dab a cotton swab into the lipstick on your hand, then use the swab to transfer the lipstick to your lips, including the cold sore.[3]

5

Dispose of the cotton swab immediately. This will help prevent the spreading of your cold sore virus.

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Tips

Consider applying eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara to your eyes to help draw attention away from cold sores located on your lips or face. In most cases, playing up your eyes with makeup can help minimize the appearance of blemishes on other regions of your face.

Consider purchasing cold-sore patches from your local pharmacy or drugstore if you experience difficulty with applying makeup directly to your cold sore. Most brands of cold-sore concealer patches can be applied directly to your skin to cover the cold sore before applying makeup, and may contain medicines that can help accelerate the healing of your cold sore.[4]

You can use liquid bandage to help conceal cold sores. Paint some on a non-stick surface (plastic wrap, wax paper, or the inside surface of a band aid). The peel off the liquid bandage, paint a base coat on and around the cold sore (it will sting). Apply the peeled liquid band aid over the could sore and carefully apply a final layer of liquid band aid... This is an easy cheap alternative to Abreva's cold sore concealer.

Warnings

Consider meeting with your dermatologist or healthcare provider prior to covering up your cold sore with makeup, beauty products, and medicines. Your healthcare provider can examine your cold sore, and make recommendations as needed to help accelerate the healing process of your cold sore

Only use disposable makeup sponges and brushes when using makeup to cover up cold sores, and avoid double-dipping in concealer or powder using the same makeup sponge or brush. Cold sores are contagious, and can contaminate and spread bacteria to your makeup products if you fail to use disposable sponges and brushes.